IPLP SJD Application

At least one letter of recommendation should be from a faculty member at the institution awarding the first law degree. If not, please explain why this is not available in the appropriate departmental question on the application. Applicants who hold an LLM degree must submit at least one recommendation from an instructor at the institution that granted their LLM degree. The strongest recommendations are substantive and detail the applicant's analytical abilities and writing skills. It is worth making a significant effort to communicate with your recommenders regarding the need for detail.

The personal statement is both a writing sample and an opportunity to discuss your unique characteristics and personal qualities, including educational and work experiences, talents and special interests, socioeconomic background, involvement in community affairs and public service, or any events or circumstances that have helped shape your life or given it direction.

If you are seeking financial assistance, please include in your personal statement an explanation of any information you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in making financial awards. IPLP awards merit-based scholarships on a rolling basis and has limited funding available. In order to receive a scholarship, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Your research proposal should provide an overview of your proposed dissertation topic and its relevance to promoting IPLP's research priorities related to the advancement of Indigenous self-determination.

The resume should summarize your education, work experience, any publications, and other relevant credentials and accomplishments.

All non-native English speaker applicants must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or seek a waiver as detailed below. 
 
Arizona Law requires a high-level of English proficiency for all degree and non-degree seeking programs including the LLM programs. Arizona Law has a rigorous curriculum for all programs. Classes require a dynamic exchange between students, and with faculty. Therefore, a high-level of English proficiency is required to have a meaningful participation in and outside of the classroom as well as for students to succeed in law school.

In general, the target scores candidates should submit are a TOEFL score of approximately 100 iBT or IELTS overall score of 7.5. We also look at the breakdown of subsection scores for listening, speaking, writing and reading. Nonetheless, a lower score in one area or overall does not automatically preclude an applicant from consideration.

Applicants whose test score(s) falls below the targets set forth above, should highlight in the personal statement portion of their application any specific data, background, or other information that they feel might strengthen their application in this regard, such as time spent in English language environments, work done in English, English language publications, etc. It is also recommended that applicants with scores lower than those set forth above submit at least one recommendation that addresses, at least in part, their English language ability.

Applicants may also request a waiver review based on their studies in the U.S., a LSAT score of or above 155, and/or a GRE verbal reasoning score of 155 or higher. Arizona Law will also accept requests for waivers based on the current English proficiency exemptions for Graduate Students at the University of Arizona. Applicants requesting a waiver are required to submit a writing sample and to hold an interview in English. 

The admissions committee reserves the right to request a writing sample, hold interviews or request additional information or documents to support English proficiency for all applicants.

*Applicants who intend to practice law should be aware that bar admission in all U.S. states involves consideration of a bar applicant's character and moral fitness for the practice of law. Applicants should acquaint themselves with the bar admission requirements of the states in which they intend to practice. The American Bar Association offers various resources on bar admission, see: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/bar_admissions.html.

Official transcripts for all of your graduate and undergraduate degrees should be submitted on your application.